Economy Class & Beyond

WestJet to start charging for first checked bags

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What's that famous song by Queen. Oh yes - Another one bites the dust - as WestJet announces fees on luggage. WestJet Boeing 737-700 at Toronto Pearson Airport - Image GhettoIFE. WestJet are to charge for for bags on their Econo fare on Canadian Domestic and US <> Canada routes from 15th September, for travel from 29th October, making it another low cost carrier. Or … [Read more...]

Marriott introduces Housekeeping Tip Envelopes…

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Being from Europe, the tipping culture is "enough" - as a reward for good service, and not expected (in which case, it's what I call a service charge. But that's by the by). Marriott International has teamed up A Woman’s Nation, a non-profit organization founded by journalist and former California first lady Maria Shriver to deliver a programme called "The Envelope … [Read more...]

American Airlines first 787 takes to the assembly line ** UPDATED **

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Yes, it's another airline getting ready to receive a brand new type of aircraft - except its going to be a rather big customer, being American Airlines. Except their first aircraft isn't complete yet - its in assembly. American Airlines Boeing 787 in assembly - Image, American Airlines via Facebook As you can see from this image, the plane is missing a fair bit. such as a … [Read more...]

Azul gets clearance to launch Brasil to US services

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Azul has taken another step forward, with route authority granted to operate by the airline to operate its services from Viracopos-Campinas to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando. Azul Airbus A330 - Image, Azul Airlines via Facebook. Flights have been confirmed, with flight numbers now made available: Sao Paulo Viracopos-Campinas to Fort Lauderdale AD8704 DEPART VCP 23:27 ARRIVE … [Read more...]

Travelling with checked luggage – it’s not a sin…

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Unlike a lot of my fellow flyers, I actually tend to travel with luggage (either on a return leg), or with lots of luggage both directions. And no, it's not sin amazingly. The current long haul luggage set after a trip to Chicago. A 3 bag luggage set... with some extras (65ltr rucksack) after a Tokyo Trip  My "Light" Luggage set (2x Rucksacks) after a San Francsico Tier … [Read more...]

Another Lufthansa Strike ahead – Munich targeted

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If the term "here we go again" is one to go by, Lufthansa pilots are once again going out on strike today between 09:00 and 17:00 Central European Time. Lufthansa Airbus A321 Retrojet - Image GhettoIFE Vereinigung Cockpit is calling the strike, which is still protesting at plans to change the Lufthansa retirement scheme and pay. This time, Lufthansa's Munich hub is the … [Read more...]

Bombardier CSeries returns to flight testing

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After a grounding period of a few months, the Bombardier CSeries flight testing resumed on Sunday, with FTV-2 returning to the sky. Bombardier CSeries FTV2 taking off, recommencing test flights - Images, Bombardier via Twitter The flight test resumes after the grounding of the flight flights after an an engine-related incident that occurred on the ground on the 29th May … [Read more...]

Ryanair goes shopping – buys 100 Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 aircraft

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Ryanair - if you like them or not -  they know how to turn a profit, an income, and manage their fleet. That includes their current 737-800 fleet, and its future fleet. That fleet is 300 strong, based on the Boeing 737-800 family, with 180 orders on the book for more 737-800s (and older aircraft to be returned to lessors Well, it seems the Irish giant is looking towards to … [Read more...]

Emirates to boost capacity on its Brussels service

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Emirates will be uprating their recently introduced Dubai to Brussels route (well, it started on the 5th September, so it's four days old officially), switch the equipment used from the current Boeing 777-200LR (the long-range 777) to the more capacity driven Boeing 777-300ER (the extended range, but with higher capacity). Emirates Boeing 777-300ER landing at Birmingham … [Read more...]

Virgin Atlantic’s Little Red – no more?

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Virgin Atlantic has been trying to boost its UK capacity by the introduction of Little Red - its response for British Airways taking over British Midland - and wet leasing Aer Lingus aircraft to operate services on its behalf to Manchester, Aberdeen and Edinburgh. Virgin Atlantic Little Red Airbus A320 - Image GhettoIFE. However the past 18 months of operations have not … [Read more...]